Assembly Resolution No. 1351
BY: M. of A. Heastie
HONORING the memory of the deceased members of the
New York State Assembly, in recognition of their
careers in public service
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
and character of life in this great Empire State is enriched by the
efforts of those individuals who commit their lives to public service;
and
WHEREAS, The New York State Assembly, representing the people of the
State of New York, is moved this day with profound sorrow at the recent
deaths of members of the Assembly and to recognize their achievements;
and
WHEREAS, Robert M. Blakeman, who served in the 6th Assembly District
from 1962-1964 and in the 19th Assembly District in 1966, died on April
21, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Robert M. Blakeman's most noted accomplishment as an
Assemblyman was establishing revenue sharing to ensure all counties were
treated equitably and fairly; and
WHEREAS, Herman D. Farrell, Jr, who served in the 74th Assembly
District from 1975-1982 and in the 71st Assembly District in 1983-2017,
died on May 26, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Herman D. Farrell, Jr, championed many critical and
landmark pieces of legislation during his time in the Assembly including
the Neighborhood Preservation Companies Act and the Omnibus Consumer
Protection and Banking Legislation Act and, in 1994, was named the Chair
of the Ways and Means Committee where he oversaw the budget process
until his retirement in 2017; and
WHEREAS, Maurice D. Hinchey, who served in the 101st Assembly
District from 1975-1992, died on November 22, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Maurice D. Hinchey served for 14 years as Chair of the
Environmental Conservation Committee; he was the sponsor of many of the
first laws protecting New York's water, air and land, including the
nation's first Acid Rain law; and
WHEREAS, Luigi R. Marano, who served in the 12st Assembly District
from 1957-1964, died on December 29, 2017; and
WHEREAS, John Brian Murtaugh, who served in the 72nd Assembly
District from 1981-1996, died on December 10, 2017; and
WHEREAS, John Brian Murtaugh served as Chair of the Committee on
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and worked to improve drug treatment in New
York; and
WHEREAS, Angelo F. Orazio, who served in the 15th Assembly District
from 1974-1984, died on January 22, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Angelo F. Orazio served as Chair of the Energy Committee
and as a member of the Assembly Special Committee on Nuclear Safety and,
in 1983, was appointed by the governor to the Advisory Committee on
Low-level Radioactive Waste Disposal; and
WHEREAS, Herbert A. Posner, who served in the 19th Assembly District
from 1967-1972 and in the 22nd Assembly District from 1973-1977, died on
March 18, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Michael Simanowitz served in the 27th Assembly District
from 2011 until his death on September 2, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Michael Simanowitz spearheaded a number of important
legislative measures including requiring children under the age of 18 to
obtain parental consent prior to obtaining a body piercing; in addition
to his legislative accomplishments, he was a member of the 107 Precinct
Auxiliary Unit beginning in 1995, rising to the esteemed position of
Commander; and
WHEREAS, Frank K. Skartados served in the 100th Assembly District
from 2008-2010 and 2011 until his death on April 15, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Frank K. Skartados championed legislation focused on job
creation and economic development and improving educational
opportunities for New York's children; and
WHEREAS, Louise M. Slaughter, who served in the 130th Assembly
District from 1983-1986, died on March 16, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Louise M. Slaughter served as the Chair of the Assembly
sub-committee on Jail Overcrowding and went on to serve with distinction
as a member of Congress where she was the first women to Chair the House
Rules Committee; and
WHEREAS, Ronald H. Tills, who served in the 147th Assembly District
from 1969-1977, died on February 4, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Ronald H. Tills served on the Codes, Transportation and
Corporations Committees and was Chair of the Select Committee to Study
the Revision of Corporation Laws; he went on to serve as a State Supreme
Court Justice; and
WHEREAS, Paul A. Worlock, who served in the 1st Assembly District
from 1961-1965, died on April 9, 2017; and
WHEREAS, Paul A. Worlock served as Chair of the Agriculture
Committee and was a member of the Cities, Conservation, Rules and
Taxation Committees; and
WHEREAS, It is with hope that future generations understand the
value of public service to the citizens of this great Empire State,
while this Legislative Body recognizes these former members of the New
York State Assembly; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the memory of the 2017-2018 deceased members of the New York State
Assembly, in recognition of their careers in public service; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed be
transmitted to the families of the aforementioned Assembly members.
